Meet the Women Behind the Scenes

NATIONAL DIVISION LEADER MANAGER

Tyler Janeé Ward is a Los Angeles-based educator, communications specialist, and media personality. She studied Mass Media Arts at Clark Atlanta University and was inspired to pursue education after studying abroad in Costa Rica. This is where she observed the lack of diversity among students of color, especially those attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which led her to join Teach for America and obtain an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction.

Tyler Janeé’s passion for travel led her to travel to over 20 countries by 25 years of age while teaching language skills in South Africa, earning a Teaching English As a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, and teaching American culture to high school students in Spain. Alongside her teaching career, she founded the non-profit organization Study Elsewhere, which aims to provide study abroad opportunities and resources for historically underrepresented students/communities.

Tyler Janeé Ward is a talented educator and content creator who is dedicated to promoting diversity and cultural exchange. She has made significant contributions to both the fields of education and media. In addition to her work as an educator, Tyler has created engaging content about her travel experiences. She produced and hosted The Turbulence Podcast, where she shares invaluable dating and relationship advice from a traveler’s perspective with popular travel influencers.

Currently, Tyler Janeé is the co-host of The Friendly Black Girls Podcast powered by The Black Girl Social Club.

SOUTHEAST III DIVISION LEADER

Dr. A’kilah Moore is a distinguished leader in education with over two decades of teaching and administrative experience at the high school and collegiate levels.

She has managed grants totaling $6M+ to fund scholarships and support programs for underrepresented students, increasing the number of traditionally underserved STEM students obtaining degrees.

She was an undergraduate NASA scholar and is a graduate of Saint Mary's College of California, Howard University and Spelman College.

Dr. A'kilah prioritizes helping organizations build the capacity to carry out their strategic plans. She finds joy in being a mother of 3 and a mentor to many young Black women. She enjoys lifting weights, skiing, running and traveling.

MIDWEST DIVISION LEADER

Ashley Thomas, M.Ed, born and raised in Cleveland, OH, is a dedicated educator & community leader, passionate about education & youth empowerment. She earned a bachelor's degree in Sports Management from Marietta College, and a master's degree in education from Cleveland State University. Ashley’s educational background has been foundational to her contributions in education & community service.

As Vice President of the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center Board of Education & a Board Member in the Garfield Heights City School District, she plays a significant role in shaping educational policies to benefit her local community. Ashley founded the Sevynteenth Foundation, a non-profit aimed at inspiring & empowering youth to become productive citizens, profoundly impacting many young lives.

In addition to her educational and non-profit work, Ashley coordinates a diversity nursing program at Ursuline College, promoting inclusivity and equitable healthcare. Her commitment to diversity and inclusion reflects her core values. Her efforts have earned her several community awards, including Who’s Who in Black Cleveland, Community Servant Leader of the Year, the Phenomenal Woman’s Award, and the 10 Dope Black Women You Should Know.

In March 2023, Ashley joined the Black Girl Social Club as President, leading the Cleveland chapter through significant growth and fostering strong bonds among its members. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and family and assisting her partner with their new restaurant, Hooked!

Ashley’s dedication to education, community service, and youth empowerment continues to make a positive impact on those she serves. She is excited to be the Division Leader of the amazing Midwest!

DMV DIVISION LEADER

Cierra Michelle Jones, also known as, “CJ” is originally from Virginia Beach, VA, and relocated to Washington, DC as part of her Military Reassignment in late 2008. Cierra served 15 years in the Army National Guard. During her Military Career, Cierra served in various capacities, including Logistical Operations, Military Police Operations, Administration, and Financial Management.

After completing her Military tenure, she served in various roles leading multi-faceted teams for various organizations such as the Department of Defense, Army Financial Command, and the Department of Justice managing multi-million-dollar budgets and projects. In her current profession, Cierra currently works in Consulting, supporting multi-million-dollar finance engagements. Cierra pursued her undergraduate education at Hampton University and later obtained her MBA from Western Governors University. She is a decorated Army Veteran and proud Thyroid Cancer Survivor.

In her free time, Cierra coaches and educates Military Veterans on the importance of achieving financial Wellness and recently became an Amazon best-selling author of, “The Military Credit Blueprint” A Practical Guide to Military Credit Repair in late 2023. Cierra is a proud mom to her daughter, Reagan, and in her spare time loves to try new cuisines, learn how to play golf, line dance, and attend live music festivals.

SOUTH DIVISION LEADER

Dr. Micaela Herndon serves as an award-winning project director for one of the largest community colleges in the United States. Her role focuses on helping underserved communities gain access to living-wage jobs through a historic federal grant to grow the workforce in North Texas.

Dr. Herndon has spent over 15 years in education with a focus on creating workforce development opportunities and leading students to thriving careers. Her work gives a voice to workforce advocacy and labor market research to provide companies, departments, and students with regional and national marketplace strategies to ensure a competitive advantage in the market, economic development, and learner analytics. Her experience includes leading over 100 million dollars in grant initiatives to increase economic development efforts.

As a child who faced socioeconomic barriers, Dr. Herndon is passionate about creating access to equitable and data-informed opportunities in education and future careers that allow people to grow beyond a livable wage and create an intergenerational wealth shift.

Dr. Herndon earned her Doctor of Education, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Education from Capella University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has a certification in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the University of South Florida. She has a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University.

She is a two-time girl mom, vinyl record enthusiast, professional bookworm, and self-proclaimed taco connoisseur.

NORTHEAST DIVISION LEADER

Samantha loves all things black, empowerment and sisterhood. She is a social butterfly and thoroughly enjoys connecting with people. Samantha has curated “Black Girl Magic” experiences within her family circle as well as her professional circle. She believes that all black women should uplift and encourage each other and set examples for the next generation to shatter glass ceilings.

Samantha is a native New Yorker, born and raised in Harlem, NYC, now living in the Bronx. She is known for saying that she “culturally identifies with being a proud Harlemite!”

She has worked in the nonprofit sector for twenty years, recently transferring to the public sector doing community engagement, outreach, and community relations. Working in and about and for the community is where Samantha has found her passion and what brings her fulfillment.

Samantha is a proud mother and wife. Her family brings her the greatest joy and she relishes in time well spent celebrating birthdays, milestones, and even the smallest achievements. Creating memories that will last forever with her children and husband is a priceless commodity that she never takes for granted.

Samantha is always ready with a smile or embrace and loves to see women win! She is so excited for this opportunity and can’t wait to coordinate precious experiences for women in Harlem and the Bronx!

SOUTHEAST I DIVISION LEADER

Taliba Morgan is the daughter of Jamaica’s legendary Reggae pioneer Denroy Morgan and sister to Grammy award winning Reggae band Morgan Heritage. Taliba’s interest in entertainment was nurtured at a young age through extensive training in tap dance, and ballet with renown choreographer Frank Hatchett, and drama while acting in school plays at TADA Theater School in New York City.

She attended St. John’s University in New York and majored in Communications, Film and Television, with a minor in journalism. Morgan co-created and produced a reality television show pilot with Ron DeVoe of the world-renowned R&B group New Edition and produced a tv pilot for Donna Summers family and many others.

Morgan went on to write two supernatural thriller screenplays titled Witch of Rose Hall and Rock-A-Dundee Road. Taliba continues to write captivating work that explores exciting new stories in classic genres. She’s already penned her first children’s book series that’s more than magical, titled Lizzy and The Magic Coat, released in 2015.

Education and literacy are a major concern for Taliba as she recognizes that there is a gap in literacy awareness, especially within under-developed communities. To help increase literacy awareness she not only penned the fun filled stories of Lizzy and the Magic Coat, Taliba donated numerous copies of the book to organizations, charities, and schools. To help fund this donation effort Taliba organized the Dream 1,000 Campaign. The Dream 1,000 campaign built awareness in literacy through partnerships with education centered charities and schools in underdeveloped communities.

Morgan didn't stop there; she continued to grow and excel as a creative and businesswoman. Morgan founded a foundation named after her daughter, called The Lizzy Box Foundation geared to supplying Type 1 diabetics across the nation with free diabetic supplies.

Morgan has taken her philanthropy to an organization called The Black Girl Social Club, an organization growing rapidly with chapters worldwide, working with Michelle Obama, and known figures and celebrities alike, to make changes in the community. Morgan is the current Jamaica Chapter President for the organization. Morgan has aspirations in real estate and is working hard to accomplish that dream.

WEST DIVISION LEADER

Taylor Hunter is a proud Los Angeles native with an insatiable curiosity for exploring the world and a penchant for baking in her spare moments. By day, she immerses herself in the dynamic realm of technology at UCLA Health, specializing in training both staff and patients on the intricacies of various applications.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Taylor has the privilege of serving as the West Coast Division Leader for BGSC (The Black Girls Social Club), a role that ignites her passion for fostering community and empowerment. Drawing upon her alma mater, Spelman College, she is deeply committed to nurturing relationships and creating spaces where African American women can thrive.

Taylor's enthusiasm for event coordination and planning fuels her confidence in leading her division, ensuring that both members and leaders alike revel in their BGSC experiences. Together, as a united sisterhood, she is thrilled at the boundless possibilities that lie ahead for their division and organization.